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Hero image for Te Rauparaha

Te Rauparaha

Short Film (Full Length) – 1972

This NFU mini-biopic eulogises the 19th Century Māori leader Te Rauparaha. The Ngāti Toa chief led his people on an exodus from Kāwhia, to a stronghold on Kāpiti Island where he ruled — via musket, flax trade and diplomacy — over a Cook Strait empire extending south to Akaroa. The free-ranging film includes recreations of the 'Wairau Incident' which stirred fears of Māori uprising amidst settlers; Te Rauparaha’s ignominious 1846 arrest by Governor Grey; and the 1849 reburial on Kapiti of the "cannibal statesman" (evocatively rendered using inverted colours).

He believed in magic, yet was the ultimate realist. Perhaps he was a martyr, a sort of god?
– A fictional settler

Key Cast & Crew

Profile image for Geoffrey Scott

Geoffrey Scott

Producer

Profile image for Ron Bowie

Ron Bowie

Producer

Profile image for John King

John King

Writer, Director

Generic Profile image for James Bowman

James Bowman

Production Manager

Generic Profile image for Raymond Boyce

Raymond Boyce

European Costume

Generic Profile image for Murray Creed

Murray Creed

Camera

See all 9 credits

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